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would a Mac G5 video card (Radeon 9600XT) work on a WinXP machine?

I need a cheap backup video card for backup as I'm doing critical work (not at all video intensive) and I can't take a chance on being without my machine. I've been using what was my backup since my primary video card failed a couple of months ago (7600GS, 8X AGP, passive cooling). Now, if my backup card fails I'd be in deep do-do. There's no way I'd be able to find a legacy AGP card locally.

Interestingly, even though my backup (Radeon 9600SE) is significantly less capable than the 7600GS, it does just fine for my needs.

There's a good selection of inexpensive passive 9600XT AGP cards on eBay for the MAC G5. Would those work on a WinXP machine? I built my PC to be super low noise, thus the passively cooled cards. I plan to build a new low-noise Linux machine this summer with modern components.

Generally speaking, a graphics card sold for PCs will not work in a Mac, and vice versa (some cards can be changed through a firmware installation.) You may find a difference in cost. If the cards are otherwise identical, the firmware installed on the cards will be different, and then, the installed drivers may not provide completely identical functions on both cards. The various graphics sites that provide benchmark tests sometimes will directly compare a Mac to a PC card. IMHO, there's too many variables to correctly compare identical models on a Mac and a PC.

Newegg has a new EVGA GeForce 6200 card for $40, which is on par with my current card, the Radeon 9600 SE. And there's a used Radeon 9600XT on eBay for about the same price. Wow. I may take your advice and just go with a PCI. Thanks for the feedback!

So I was thinking about Mint distro, but I'll take a look at your post.

I found a Radeon HD 2400 Pro PCI. This card has significantly better performance my current backup card (Radeon 9600SE AGP), even though peak power is almost the same. I'm guessing that's because it's more modern (2007 vs. 2003).

Interestingly, the performance ratings @ gpureview.com for HD2400 Pro AGP & HD2400 Pro PCIe are identical to PCI version. That implies the bus interface wasn't a limiting factor for this generation GPU. Is this plausible? I realize the HD 2400 wasn't a high end card, but you would think that any card developed that many years after AGP was introduced would take advantage of AGP's higher clock speed and see benefit from not having to contend for the bus.

Not sure I follow. My 'guess' was about how HD2400 PCI has significantly better performance than an AGP card. I get that. But what I don't understand is why all three bus versions of this card have identical performance. Shouldn't the PCI-e version outperform the PCI and or AGP version?

PCI-E does have DX-10.

I think you meant PCI (of course PCI-E supports 10, but I didn't know PCI did/does, thx for link). In any case, shouldn't the PCI-E version of a card outperform the PCI version?, and certainly the PCI-E version should outperform AGP, no?

I just don't want to make a decision based on what may be bogus test data on the gpureview site. On the other hand, there might be a logical explanation for PCI/AGP/PCI-E versions having identical performance.

In the context of my earlier question (how HD2400 PCI could best my AGP backup card), I just assumed you meant to say PCI supports DX10. Actually, the HD2400 Pro PCI does support DX10 (see http://bit.ly/2qR7qsC), although I didn't know that when I asked the question.

I decided to go with another Radeon 9600SE AGP I found on eBay for $15, sold by original owner. Since it's identical to the card I'm currently using, I don't have to worry about drivers. Although it's the lowest performer of all the cards I looked at, it's been fine for my needs. Also, the 9600 draws so little power, I was able to scavenge my Scythe 120mm bottom-case fan that keep my 7600GS cool (both cards are passive) so I could use it to replace the fan in my power supply after it started making noise around the same time my 7600GS bit the dust. To be safe, I installed a thermocouple at hottest point on the 9600 heatsink and it hasn't exceeded 41C under load.

That's an awesome chart. I'm surprised I hadn't run across it yet. I bookmarked for when I build my next machine.